MSN Tutorial

Kirk Kennedy

Description

Using MSN Messenger A Starter Guide Table of Contents pg. 2 Installing MSN Messenger 5 Signing in 6 Adding a contact 7 Sending and receiving text messages 8 Answering a request 9 Using a headset with a microphone 11 Configuring a webcam 12 Using video 2Using MSN Messenger Installing MSN Messenger To install MSN Messenger, you must first download the setup program. You can find this at http://messenger.msn.com/ (holding Ctrl and clicking on the link will take you there) and clicking on the button. Once you click that button, a window will appear with the option to save the file, or open it. Click on Open like so: Once the file has downloaded, you will see a screen like this: This page is warning you to close any versions of Messenger that are installed. This warning is mainly for those updating their version. However, you must also make sure Windows Messenger is closed as well. 3Using MSN Messenger Windows Messenger comes installed with Windows 2000 and XP. It is similar to MSN Messenger and can do much the same job, but is not as user friendly and lacks some of the new features of MSN Messenger. The differences are discussed here: http://messenger.msn.com/Help/#LQ3. Nonetheless, it must be closed if it is open. If you see this icon or this icon in the system tray (bottom right corner near the clock) right click on the icon, and select Exit. Note: If you do not see this window but instead see one ...

Informations

• Publié par: Utto
• Nombre de lectures: 44
• Langue: English

Extrait

Using MSN Messenger A Starter Guide

pg. 2 5 6 7 8 9 11 12

Table of Contents

Installing MSN Messenger Signing in Adding a contact Sending and receiving text messages Answering a request Using a headset with a microphone Configuring a webcam Using video

2 Using MSN Messenger Installing MSN Messenger To install MSN Messenger, you must first download the setup program. You can find this athttp://messenger.msn.com/ holdin Ctrl and clicking on the link will take you there) and clicking on the button. Once you click that button, a window will appear with the option to save the file, or open it. Click onOpenlike so:

Once the file has downloaded, you will see a screen like this:

This page is warning you to close any versions of Messenger that are installed. This warning is mainly for those updating their version. However, you must also make sure Windows Messenger is closed as well.

3 Using MSN Messenger Windows Messenger comes installed with Windows 2000 and XP. It is similar to MSN Messenger and can do much the same job, but is not as user friendly and lacks some of the new features of MSN Messenger. The differences are discussed here:http://messenger.msn.com/Help/#LQ3. Nonetheless, it must be closed if it is open. If you see this icon or this icon in the system tray (bottom right corner near the clock) right click on the icon, and selectExit. Note: If you do not see this window but instead see one prompting you to Repair or Remove MSN Messenger, then you already have it installed. You should be able to find it in yourStartunder menu Programs asMSN Messenger 6.2. If it is not there you can click onRepairin the setup and it will restore that shortcut. In any case, if it is installed, you can skip to the next section. ClickNextin the setup. You will now see a screen like so:

This shows the Terms of Use and Privacy Statement. If you are worried about the contents of this, read it carefully. You must agree to continue. Select“I agree”and clickNextto continue.

Using MSN Messenger You will now see this window:

4

This asks if you would like to install optional features. The MSN Toolbar will show up in Internet Explorer. It allows you to search using MSN Search without actually going to the site. It also blocks popup windows, and has other features. To read more about it you can follow this link: http://toolbar.msn.com/. You can also download it at that site later if you choose not to install it now. “Make MSN Search your default search engine” will forward all searches made in Internet Explorer to MSN Search. “Make MSN Home your default home page” will make the MSN Home website (http://www.msn.com) show up first when you open your browser. These options are completely up to you, and none of them are required. If you do not want to install a feature, deselect the checkbox beside it by clicking on it. When you have made your choices, clickNext. Setup will now install the program. When it has finished, you will be informed. Once that happens, click onFinishto exit Setup. If you are using Windows 95 or 98, you must now restart your computer. Otherwise, MSN Messenger will be automatically opened.

5 Using MSN Messenger Signing in Once MSN Messenger is opened, you will see this window: Click onSign In. If you already have a Hotmail, MSN, or Passport email account, enter your full email as your sign in name. The password is the same as your email password for that account. Click onOK. Those accounts work through a system call .NET Passport run by Microsoft. It handles signing in for many of Microsoft’s websites and services. If you do not have an account you can make one. In Windows 95 and 98 you will see“Get one here”a link on the right as side of the sign in window. Otherwise, you will see“Get a .NET Passport” at the bottom left of the sign in window. Click on that link and follow the instructions on the website to create an account. Once you have completed the account creation, enter your sign in name and password into the sign in window and click onOK. Note: Once you sign in, you may see a window called MSN Today. This shows current news and other information. It will show up every time you sign in. If you do not want this to happen, selectOptionsfrom theToolsmenu. Click on the Generalat the top of the window, and deselect the checkbox beside tab “Display MSN Today when Messenger signs in”.

6 Using MSN Messenger Adding a contact The purpose of MSN is to communicate. To do so, you must first add people to your contact list. This is done by clickingAdd a contact from either theContacts menu, or underI want toat the bottom of the window. In the window that pops up, you will be given the choice to add a contact from your hotmail address book (if you just created your account, there will be nothing there) or create a contact from an email address. We will show you how to add us to your contact list. Make sure“Create a new contact by entering their email address or sign in name”is selected, and clickNext. In the next screen, enter our email “[e-mail]” in the textbox. ClickNext. The next screen will confirm that the contact was added. ClickFinish. You should now see a contact in your window. This screen is called the Contact Window. The icon beside the contact shows their status. If the icon is red, the contact is offline. If the icon is green, the contact is online. If the icon has a clock in front of it, the contact’s status is set to Be Right Back, Away, or Out to Lunch. If the icon has a do not enter symbol in front of it, the contact’s status is set to Busy, or On the Phone. To change your own status, selectMy Statusunder theFilemenu and choose your status.

7 Using MSN Messenger Sending and receiving text messages If someone sends you a message, a notice will appear in the bottom right corner of your screen and, if you have speakers, you will hear a sound. Clicking on the notice will open a window, which looks like this:

You can send a message back by typing in the textbox at the bottom of the window and clicking onSend, or pressingEnter. To begin a conversation yourself, double click on a contact that is online and the same window will appear so you can send them a message.

8 Using MSN Messenger Answering a request MSN Messenger has many uses beyond sending text based messages. These include audio conversations, video conversations, sending files, playing games, and more. They are listed under the Actions menu. Clicking on an option in that menu allows you to send a request to start that task. If someone sends you a request to start an audio conversation for example, you will see a message like this:

At this point, you can accept or decline the request by clicking on the words AcceptorDecline, or by pressingAlt+CorAlt+Don your keyboard. If you accept, it would, in this case, begin an audio conversation. Other requests are accepted or declined the same way.

9 Using MSN Messenger Using a headset with a microphone Audio conversations over MSN Messenger make conversing much easier, as if you were talking on the phone. Using separate microphone and speakers work well, but using a headset gives you a little more privacy and agility. If you do not have a headset, your nearest computer store should. There are two kinds you can use with your computer. The first has two separate plugs: one for the speakers, and one for the microphone. This kind plugs right into the speaker and microphone jacks in your current sound card and works without any further setup. These can be bought for as little as $20. The other kind of headset plugs into a USB port. It has some advantages, but requires more setup. Prices for these headsets start at about $60. If you choose to buy one of these, follow the manufacturer’s instructions on installing it before continuing. For MSN Messenger to capture audio from your microphone, you must make sure that your microphone is selected as your recording device. If you have a USB headset this isn’t necessary, so you can skip this paragraph. To do this, click on yourStart button and followPrograms,Accessories,Entertainment, and selectVolume Control. In theOptions menu selectProperties. Click on Recording, and make sureMicrophoneselected in the list at the bottom of is the window. ClickOK. Using the controls under Microphone, make sure it is selected or not muted, depending on your sound card. Close the window. Before starting an audio conversation, you must configure your microphone and speakers. To do this, selectAudio/Video Tuning Wizard orAudio Tuning Wizardunder theToolsmenu. Follow the instructions on the first two screens, and clickNexton each. You will then see the following screen: If you have a webcam installed, you will see a different screen. Video options will be dealt with in the next section, so click Nextyou do see this until screen. In both dropdown boxes, select the sound card you have your headset plugged into. If you are using a USB headset, select the name of the headset instead.

10 Using MSN Messenger Since headsets are headphones, select the checkbox beside“I am using headphones”. This disables a feature designed to reduce feedback if separate microphone and speakers get too close. This is unlikely when using headphones or a headset. ClickNext. The following screen will help you adjust your speaker volume. Click on “Click to Test Speakers”. You should hear some music. Adjust the slider bar below the button right or left to raise or decrease the volume until you find it comfortable. ClickNext. You can now adjust your microphone volume. Read the sentence as instructed. While reading, you will notice the indicator bar raising and lowering to the volume of your voice. You will also notice the volume is being adjusted automatically as needed. The ideal volume is in the yellow area. This makes sure that your voice is loud enough, but not so loud that it becomes distorted. Click onNext, and thenFinish, which closes the wizard. You can now have an audio conversation by starting one yourself (Actionsmenu thenStart an Audio ConversationorStart Audio) or by accepting an incoming request.

11 Using MSN Messenger Configuring a webcam To add more reality to conversations, MSN Messenger allows video conversations using a webcam. If you do not have a webcam, your local computer store should have a selection. They usually start at about $20. Before proceeding, make sure you have successfully followed the manufacturer’s instructions on installing your webcam. Open theAudio/Video Tuning Wizardthe under Toolsagain. Click menu Nexton the first two screens. You will now come to a screen that allows you to choose your webcam from a dropdown list. Select it, and click onNext.

This screen allows you to adjust what your webcam sees. Move your webcam to where you like, and click onNext. Note: If you see nothing, your webcam may not be installed properly. Reinstalling it or reading the manufacturer’s troubleshooting guide is recommended. If you followed the instructions in the last section as to setting up a headset, then you can skip the remainder of the wizard. If not, return to the last section. You can adjust various light and color levels of your webcam usingWeb Camera Settingsunder theToolsmenu. To make sure your webcam is enabled for others to see it, openOptionsunder theToolsmenu and make sure“Share my webcam capabilities with others” is selected at the bottom of the window. You are now ready to have a video conversation.